Program Overview

Michigan State University is offering an Online Electrical Apprenticeship program. The educational experience is a four year program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship and Training. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded a certificate of completion by Michigan State University.

This program provides the Related Technical Instruction (RTI), that will be required starting in September, 2010 by the State of Michigan through the revisions of implementation Public Act 217 of 1954, Rule 338.88e. It gives the apprentice the necessary theoretical and technical knowledge needed to become a successful journey person. It also gives additional practice of job-related skills and knowledge. The USDOL standards require that a minimum of 144 hours per year of apprenticeship training is to be provided to each trainee.

Program Outline

The M.S.U. program consists of a four-year curriculum that is designed to contain information you need to have a successful career path in the electrical industry. The material focuses on electrical theory, workplace skills, jobsite safety and an understanding of National Electrical Code®, the Michigan Residential Code and Michigan´s Part 8 Electrical Rules.

The material is intended to be taught in tandem with on-the-job training provided by a licenced electrician. Each lesson is based on objectives with exercises, review questions, and quizzes designed to test the knowledge gained in each segment. The curriculum will be updated regularly to meet the changes in the electrical codes, changes in technology and the needs of the electrical contractors.

The benefits of the program include:

• Acquire knowledge at your own pace.
• Learn at home, so you avoid travel expenses.
• Continue educational experiences if you are working out of state.
• Learn from national experts about the National Electrical Code and apprenticeship training.

Entrance Requirements

• Have a successfully academic performance that allows apprentice to be a self-directed learner.
• Have access to a high speed Internet connection with printing capabilities.
• Educational requirements and experience counted by the State only if the apprentice is 16 years of age and older.
• Complete a registration form. Click here for a registration form in pdf file format.
• Pay the annual $100 yearly administrative fee.

Program Cost

• $100 Yearly Administrative Fee. This fee is due when the apprentice first enrolls into the program.  This fee is due annually when the apprentice renews their registration with the State.  The annual fee is required for an apprentice to be considered enrolled in this program. If a person chooses not to be registered and take classes during a registration cycle, the annual fee is not required.
• $250 per course Tuition Fee. Each online course is designed for 30-hours of instruction. Upon completion of each course the apprentice gains 3.0 CEUs (Continuing Educational Units).
• Graduates of the Michigan State University Electrical Technology Program may qualify to receive a $200 discount per course.

The above fee structure will continue for all courses the student is enrolled in from September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2013.

Books and Learning Materials

• 2008 National Electrical Code, NFPA
• Interpreting the National Electrical Code, 2008. Cengage Learning, ISBN-13: 9781428323735
• Personal Calculator, with manual. Calculator must be capable of performing trigonometry basic functions.

Program Time Line

Classes will be available starting anytime upon registration.

Students may complete requirements at a personal pace, however, will be limited to a maximum of six months to complete an individual class. Those taking longer than six months will be dis-enrolled in the class and re-enroll in the course if they desire to continue in MSU´s apprenticeship program.

The program is structured such that upon completion of once course, the apprentice may register for the next available course in the sequence. Once the student has demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter, they may enroll in the next course. Proficiency is determined by a course ending exam. To successfully pass a course, a minimum grade of 75% is required. If the apprentice fails the examination they will have one opportunity to re-study the course material and take a second examination. Upon failure of the second examination, the apprentice must re-enroll into the course.

Course Sequence

Transfer from another Apprenticeship Program

A person desiring to transfer from another apprenticeship program must provide documentation from that program of the subjects completed and instructional hours accumulated in each subject category. A proficiency test will be given to the transferee to evaluate the appropriate starting level.

Contact

Jonathan Althouse 
Program Coordinator 
524 S. Shaw Lane
114 Farrall Hall 
Michigan State University 
East Lansing, MI 48823
517.353.4896 
althous2@msu.edu

Click here for a registration form in pdf file format.